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MY daily reflection and prayer:
Sunday, June 21, 2015
Memorial of St. Aloysius
Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dear my friends,
Here is the Gospel for us today according to St. Mark 4:35-41

On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. And a great storm of wind arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care if we perish?” And he awoke and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you no faith?” And they were filled with awe, and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even wind and sea obey him?”

This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.

***

Sometime we feel so anxious and afraid although we realize that Jesus Christ are always with us. As the apostles, we are in the storm of wind and waves beat our boat of life but Jesus is in the stern, asleep on the cushion.

The apostles cries out and say to Jesus Christ, “Teacher, do you not care if we perish?” Here we read that they fight anxiety and fear with faith. Now, how can we fight anxiety and fear with faith?

Jesus Christ is always present to all of us. We are invited to recognize the Lord’s presence with us, especially when we meet the storms of anxiety, sorrow, fear and temptation.

Whenever we encounter trouble, Jesus Christ is always there with the same words, “Why are you afraid? Have you no faith?” He also assures us with his message, “Peace! Be still! It is I, do not be afraid! ”

Here we experience a formation of faith. What is faith? It is an entirely free gift that God grants to us. It is only possible by grace and the help of the Holy Spirit. It opens the eyes of our mind and heart to understand and accept the truth which God has revealed to us.

Because of faith we are enabled to relate to God rightly and confidently, with trust and love. If we want to live, grow, and persevere in faith, we have to let the word of God nourishes us.

We must not be afraid to face so many difficulties, oppression and temptation in our daily lives. Don’t let fear rob our faith, trust and reliance on God. Faith must enable us to embrace God’s word of truth and love with confidence and to act on it with firm hope in God’s promises.

In the Perpetual Adoration of the Eucharist we worship Jesus Christ who assures us with his message, “Peace! Be still! It is I, do not be afraid! ” His love strengthens us in our faith and trust in him. It also enables us to act with justice and kindness towards our neighbor even in the face of opposition.

Let’s pray: Lord Jesus Christ, guide our heart and mind. Increase our faith in your redeeming love and power that we always recognize your loving presence with us. Today we also commemorate St. Aloysius who were never afraid of facing his service for and with the sick and the poor. Even he was died because of it. Help us to act with justice and kindness towards our neighbor even those who oppose and hate us now and forever. Amen.